Bacteria and mold lurk in even the cleanest kitchens, and regularly replacing your dish sponge is not enough.
The public health and safety organization NSF International examined 14 common kitchen items and ranks the 10 with the most germs. NSF also provides a few more icky facts about your food preparation habits.
It's time to get cleaning. less

Bacteria and mold lurk in even the cleanest kitchens, and regularly replacing your dish sponge is not enough. The public health and safety organization NSF International examined 14 common kitchen items and ... more

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Bacteria and mold lurk in even the cleanest kitchens, and regularly... Photo-5159867.69861 - StamfordAdvocate

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Cross-contamination and yeast and mold

Storing food in contaminated storage containers or using water, ice or tools with high counts of yeast and mold may lead to food spoilage at a faster rate or an allergic response in some people.

36 percent of the items had Salmonella, including the refrigerator meat and vegetable compartments, can opener, blender gasket and the rubber seal on a food storage container.

Salmonella

36 percent of the items had Salmonella, including the refrigerator meat and vegetable compartments, can opener, blender gasket and the rubber seal on a food storage container.

Photo: S. Lowry/univ Ulster, Getty Images

Salmonella 36 percent of the items had Salmonella, including the... Photo-5159915.69861 - StamfordAdvocate

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.69861 - StamfordAdvocate

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Yeast and mold

All of the items tested positive for yeast and mold. The six items with the highest levels were the refrigerator vegetable compartment, rubber spatula, blender gasket, refrigerator ice and water dispensers and the rubber seal on a food storage container.